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DCD Quick Link to the Milwaukee Zoning Code of Ordinances

Please Note:
The Legislative Reference Bureau of the City Clerk’s Office maintains the code of ordinances.

The Development Center of DNS determines official zoning code compliance.
 

Here are helpful links to access specific chapters of the zoning code:
ZONING CHAPTER OUTLINE
Subchapter 1: INTRODUCTION
Subchapter 2: DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF MEASUREMENT
Subchapter 3: ADMINISTRATION, ENFORCEMENT AND APPEALS
Subchapter 4: GENERAL PROVISIONS
Subchapter 5: RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
        (for designations: RS1 through RS5, RT1 through RT4, RM1 through RM7, RO1, RO2)
Subchapter 6: COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS
        (for designations: NS1, NS2, LB1, LB2, LB3, RB1, RB2, CS)
Subchapter 7: DOWNTOWN DISTRICTS
        (for designations: C9A through C9H)
Subchapter 8: INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS
        (for designations: IO1, IO2, IL1, IL2, IM, IH)
Subchapter 9: SPECIAL DISTRICTS
        (for designations: PK, TL, PD, DPD, RED)
        RED Park East        RED Beerline B
Subchapter 10: OVERLAY ZONES
Subchapter 11: FLOODPLAIN OVERLAY ZONES

 

Updated Bicycle Parking Requirements (effective July 28, 2017)

Zoning Diagrams and Illustrations

Tips on Understanding the Code Layout:

The code is structured in the following manner

Chapter 2 through 4 and 10 include content that is applied over all districts.
Chapters 5 through 9 are chapters specific to the zoning district designation.
  • Each of these chapters is organized by the main categories of Use and Design Standards.
  • The Design Standards section in each chapter is further organized in this order:  Principle Building Standards, Accessory Structure Standards, Site Standards, and Signs.
  • Definitions and Rules of Measurements are commonly referenced to understand Use categories.
  • General Provisions are commonly referenced for items such as parking, landscaping and signs.
  • Occasionally, standards in district chapters have cross references to standards in different district chapters on specific issues.
  • While many properties solely rely on the base zoning designation for use and design regulations, some properties also have additional requirements in the form of overlay zones, found in Chapter 10.

New!  More Information on Zoning, a Presentation, and More Links

Additional Tips:

The Milwaukee Zoning Code and related approved standards such as River, Interim Study, and Floodplain Overlays and Development Incentive and Neighborhood Conservation Zones should be reviewed to ensure properties and proposals are compliant with zoning.

Chapters not regulated by the zoning code, however frequently reference for projects requiring development permits:
244: Signs and Outdoor Advertising
245: Encroachments, Projections, and Special Privileges
Additional overlays, outside of the regulations of the zoning code, may need separate review for building permit issuance. These other authorities have independent design review approval, such as the Historic Third Ward or East Side Review Board or in a Local Historic District.
 
Those reviews are independent of the zoning code review and compliance. Projects must meet both the requirements from the independent review agencies as well as the zoning code.


Zoning Code Lookup:
Check the Zoning of a Property

After retrieving address, open Special Interest tab at top.
Please note: Links to Zoning Code above are found in the Legislative Reference Bureau of the City Clerk’s Office. For the complete City Charter and Code of Ordinances - Table of Contents, click HERE